The dark purple energy vortex was like the Abyss Maw, its terrifying suction tearing at the Ark Maxim. The giant tentacles that surged from the depths of the vortex contained the power to shatter mountains and the malevolent intent to erode souls with every strike!
"Barrier energy output 120%! Stabilize the ship!" Franky roared in the cockpit, the control stick creaking as he pulled. The ship's colorful barrier oscillated violently under the bombardment of the tentacles, emitting a groan of unbearable strain.
" Gum-Gum Giant Battle Axe!" Luffy Gear Fourth Boundman form expanded to its limit, and his giant foot, wrapped in top-level Armament Haki and a trace of water ripples, slammed into a tentacle, knocking it off course. However, only a small part of the thick keratin and energy patterns on the tentacle's surface shattered, and soon corrupted energy surged up to repair it.
" Three-Sword Style: Black Rope: Great Tornado: Severing Flow!" Zoro's slashing storm attempted to sever the tentacles, but the strikes were blocked halfway by writhing muscles and energy fields, making it difficult to completely sever them. Instead, the tentacles spewed out viscous, mentally polluting black acid.
" Diable Jambe - Finishing Touch - Deep Sea Scorch!" Sanji's fiery kick is limited in power in the deep sea, but the added purifying Sparks makes the part of the tentacle that is hit emit a "sizzling" burning sound, with remarkable effect.
" Fish-Man Karate - Secret Technique - Martial Arts - Buraikan Whale Shark!" Jinbe and Tortuga joined forces, their two powerful water shockwaves merging into one, like an underwater volcanic eruption, temporarily pushing back several tentacles.
" Cien Fleur, Giant's Grip, Strangulation Array!" Robin summoned countless giant arms within the barrier, grabbing tentacles from all directions to restrict their movement, but the tentacles were too strong, and arms were constantly being shattered.
Nami's thundercloud attack, Usopp's special ammunition, Chopper's enhancement spray, Brook's soul sonic wave, General Franky's artillery fire... all attacks were unleashed, combined with the Deep-Sea Guardian Legion ' ranged energy attacks and melee restraint, barely managing to stabilize their position at the edge of the whirlpool and avoid being dragged into it.
But everyone sensed that this was just the beginning. The source of Source of Corruption at the other end of the passage was clearly not going all out; these tentacles were more like a test and an attempt to obstruct.
Allen hovered at the very front of the ship, his Eye of the Torch Dragon locked on the center of the vortex, countless streams of data flashing within those eyes that intertwined azure and silver. He didn't attack the tentacles directly, but instead rapidly formed hand seals in front of his chest—not traditional hand seals, but rather, using the power of Sparks to outline complex and profound energy runes in the Void, blending the spatial knowledge of the Deep-Sea Council with his own understanding of spacetime.
Each rune, once formed, transforms into a tiny silver-blue spot of light, silently merging into the surrounding turbulent energy currents and spatial fluctuations. These spots of light, seemingly faint, act like the most precise detectors, tracing back along the energy pathways, attempting to capture the core "spatial anchor point" and "energy node" of the channel being repaired.
He was performing a dangerous "operation"—locating and marking the key structures of the passage under heavy enemy attack, in preparation for subsequent stabilization and a counter-intrusion.
"Disruptor... what are you... doing..." The Source of Corruption's malicious mental fluctuations returned, tinged with a hint of wariness and a deeper rage. It had clearly sensed the potential threat posed by Allen's "small actions."
The vortex suddenly contracted, and then, an even larger and more condensed dark purple corrupting energy erupted from the center like a geyser! This energy did not attack directly, but instead spread rapidly, merging with the surrounding environment it had modified, forming a thick, constantly twisting and writhing "corrupted space barrier"! This barrier not only had strong physical defense, but also severely interfered with spatial perception and energy detection!
The probe beams released by Allen became sluggish and blurry as soon as they came into contact with this barrier, as if sinking into quagmire, and their connection with him rapidly weakened.
"Trying to block my detection?" Allen's eyes turned cold. "Then let's see if your corruption barrier is stronger, or if my Sparks... is better at 'penetrating'!"
He clasped his hands together abruptly and uttered a low shout, " Sparks, Rule Penetration, Latitude and Longitude Anchoring!"
Buzz--!
The " Sparks Brand " deep within his soul shone brightly, and an unprecedented, highly condensed power of "order" and "purification" rules, mixed with a precise understanding of the spatial coordinates, burst forth from his palm, transforming into an extremely slender yet solid silver-white ray of light that seemed capable of piercing the world!
This " Rule Penetration Line " ignored the layers of corruption barriers and, like a hot knife cutting into butter, precisely pierced the very core of the vortex—the "singularity" where the energies of the old and new channels converge and the spatial structure is most unstable!
puff!
The penetration line has been successfully anchored!
In an instant, Allen's consciousness followed this line, like a traveler going downstream, instantly traversing a vast spatial distance and "seeing" part of the scene at the other end of the passage!
It was a scene far clearer and more terrifying than the fleeting glimpse before:
The dark red, pulsating fleshy cave walls were covered in mucus and constantly opening and closing eyes; countless thick energy channels writhed like blood vessels; in the center of the cave, the dark red, mountain-like tumor itself spewed out thick, corrosive mist from its surface, and deep within the tumor, an even darker, more evil core of consciousness was "watching" this end of the passage!
At the "interface" connecting the passage to the main body, Allen clearly "saw" a large amount of dark purple energy being consciously guided and infused, repairing the parts previously damaged by " Star Core ·Spacetime Purification". What made his heart sink even more was that near the interface, several "hatching eggs" with even more ferocious and terrifying shapes, enveloped in dark purple energy, were floating, emanating an extremely dangerous aura—these were "elite units" that the Source of Corruption was preparing, possibly for deployment or defense, or even some kind of "avatar" prototype!
"Found you..." Allen's consciousness made extremely brief contact with that evil core consciousness.
A vast, cold, ancient, greedy will, filled with hatred for the entire ordered world, coiled around his senses like a cold, venomous snake.
" Sparks... those repulsive... embers of order..." came the thought from the Source of Corruption, "You dare... connect willingly... courting death!"
An even more violent mental shock and corrupting energy, flowing through the passage and Allen's " Rule Penetration Line," rebounded, attempting to pollute his consciousness and destroy his soul!
"Hmph!" Allen grunted, his eyes flashing with silver light. The power of Sparks formed a solid barrier on the soul level, firmly blocking the backlash. At the same time, without hesitation, using the penetrating line as a medium, he injected a concentrated burst of Sparks power, carrying the characteristics of "marking" and "interference," into the energy cycle near the channel interface, like a reverse injection!
This is not an attack, but "pollution"—using the power of Sparks to corrupt the energy cycle nodes!
Sizzle--!
From the other end of the passage came a muffled roar, a sound filled with pain and rage! At the repaired passage interface, the flow of energy was momentarily disrupted and conflicted, causing several smaller hatching eggs to crack as a result!
"Damn it... bugs!!!" The Source of Corruption's rage was like a tsunami.
At the same time, because Allen successfully anchored and interfered with the core of the passage, the stability of the vortex here was also affected. The dark purple corrupted barrier fluctuated, the suction weakened, and the attacking tentacles also experienced momentary stiffness and unstable energy supply.
"Now! All troops, charge! Cover Allen!" Tortuga seized the opportunity and roared deafeningly.
" Deep-Sea Guardians! Charge!" The whale warriors, heavily armored giant clams, and water elemental manipulators unleashed even greater power, fearlessly charging towards the tentacles, using their bodies and energy attacks to clear a path for the Ark Maxim!
" Franky! Maximum power! Charge into the vortex!" Allen withdrew most of his consciousness, but maintained that " Rule Penetration Line," and shouted the order.
"SUPER~ Go for it! Ark Maxim - Overload Mode!" Franky pushed the control stick to its limit! The thrusters at the stern spewed out blazing, multicolored flames, and the ship's barrier condensed to its maximum, like an indestructible drill, crashing headlong into the center of the unstable vortex!
Rumble rumble rumble--!!!
The ship's hull violently rubbed against and annihilated the corrosive energy at the edge of the whirlpool, producing a deafening roar. The ship trembled violently, and the barrier flickered as if it might shatter at any moment.
At this critical moment—
" Fish-Man Karate - Ultimate Technique - Ocean Current - Dragon Palace Storm!"
" Dragon Claw Fist - Flame Piercing!"
Gravity Blade - Fierce Tiger!
Several powerful attacks came from the side and rear, accurately striking the thickest energy nodes at the edge of the vortex!
They're reinforcements!
Jinbe's elite Fish-Man Island troops, Sabo's Revolutionary Army squad, and Fujitora's Marine task force arrived at the battlefield almost simultaneously!
The Fish-Man troops stirred up the ocean currents, the Revolutionary Army officers displayed their unique abilities, the Marine Science Unit unleashed a barrage of energy weapons, and Fujitora's Gravity Blade directly distorted the local space, further loosening the structure of the vortex!
The combined efforts of all parties have yielded remarkable results!
The vortex's defenses have finally been breached!
"Charge in!" Allen roared.
Following the gap in the gap, the Ark Maxim surged forward like a salmon swimming upstream, boldly charging into the dark purple energy vortex!
The world spins! Space is distorted!
What lay before him was no longer seawater, but bizarre, colorful turbulent energy currents and spatial rifts. Immense pressure pressed in from all directions, and corrupting whispers and evil thoughts relentlessly tried to erode his soul.
But the Order Barrier of the Ark Maxim stubbornly held up, and the people on board Resistance the spiritual pollution thanks to their previous special training and unwavering will.
Allen stood at the bow of the ship, the " Rule Penetration Line " guiding him like a lighthouse amidst the chaos. He could sense that they were rapidly advancing along the mostly repaired passage towards the other end—the lair of the Source of Corruption!
"Hold on! We're crossing the tunnel! Prepare for the defenses on the other side!" Allen's voice echoed throughout the ship via the telepathic link. "The tunnel isn't entirely stable; the Source of Corruption has definitely set up an ambush! Everyone, prepare for battle!"
His premonition soon came true.
After walking for less than a minute, several huge holes suddenly opened up in the "wall" of the passage ahead!
roar--!!!
Several hideous monsters emerged from the hole, blocking the way!
These were drastically different from the previous elite guards. Some resembled " Void Predators " formed from fragments of space and corrupted energy, their bodies ethereal and capable of short-range spatial teleportation; others were like " Abyss Giant Scorpions " magnified dozens of times, their carapaces covered in barbs and energy cannons; still others vaguely retained the outlines of intelligent races (even some deep-sea races), but their entire bodies were highly mutated, their eyes burning with corrupted soul flames, and their hands wielding weapons that had been thoroughly corrupted and emanated ominous energy—these were clearly " Corrupted Heroic Spirits " created by the Source of Corruption using the remains or souls of powerful beings it had devoured!
As soon as these monsters appeared, they unleashed a terrifying aura far exceeding that of the tentacles before, and they knew how to cooperate, instantly forming a tight interception formation!
"It's the 'Passage Guardian,' the Source of Corruption! Extremely powerful! Be careful!" Tortuga's voice was filled with shock.
"Whatever it is! Smash them all away!" Luffy's fighting spirit was boiling.
" Zoro, Sanji, Jinbe, Mr. Sabo, Mr. Fujitora, you guys lead the attack! The rest of you assist, clean up any stragglers and deal with ranged attacks!" Allen quickly assigned tasks, while his hands continued to work.
Now that we've entered the passage, the original task of "positioning" has become "stabilizing" and "expanding"!
He pressed his hands together, and more silver-blue runes, infused with the spatial knowledge of the Deep-Sea Council and the power of Sparks, flew out, embedding themselves like Nail into the unstable spatial barriers on both sides of the passage. These runes not only temporarily reinforced the passage, preventing them from being swept away by spatial turbulence or buried alive by the passage's collapse, but also subtly altered the local "rules of the environment," repelling the excessive infiltration of corrupting energy and establishing a "safe zone" for the possible passage or retreat of a larger force later.
The battle erupted suddenly in the narrow and dangerous passage!
Zoro's slash clashed with the Void Predators's spatial claws, sparks flying; Sanji's fiery kick collided with the Abyss Giant Scorpions's energy cannon, resulting in a series of explosions; Jinbe's water blast, Sabo's dragon claw flames, and Fujitora's gravity suppression clashed with the Corrupted Heroic Spirits; Nami's lightning, Usopp's Seed bomb, Franky's artillery fire, Robin's giant arm, Chopper's enhancement potion, Brook's sonic waves... all attacks intertwined into a net, hindering the monsters' advance.
The Deep-Sea Guardian Legion, the Fish-Man Force, the Revolutionary Army Squad, and the Naval Task Force also poured out from behind the Ark Maxim to join the battle, engaging in a fierce fight with the Corrupted Guardians in the passageway.
Every step forward comes at a bloody price. The passage is rife with turbulent energy currents, the space is constantly distorted, and the environment is extremely harsh.
But everyone's eyes were fixed on what lay ahead—the end of the passage, the increasingly clear, dark red light, and the ultimate, chilling aura of evil emanating from it.
The Source of Corruption is right there!
While maintaining the rune-reinforced passage, Allen injected more Sparks power into the " Rule Penetration Line," attempting to construct a temporary, stable "bridgehead" energy node at the "entrance" of the Source of Corruption's lair at the end of the passage!
He wants to open a door, a door that allows the forces of justice to directly penetrate the heart of evil!
"It'll be soon... it'll be soon..." Veins bulged on Allen's forehead as his mental energy was rapidly depleted, but his eyes remained incredibly determined.
He could sense that the Source of Corruption at the other end of the passage was becoming increasingly violent and agitated due to their forced entry and the fierce battle within the passage. More corrupted guards were being mobilized from their lair, attempting to overwhelm them in the passage.
This is a race against time, and also a test of willpower!
Whoever gives up first will face utter ruin!
"Hold on! We're almost... at the entrance to the Abyss!"
The sparks of Sparks stubbornly burn in the endless dark passage, illuminating the way forward and scorching away all the filth that dares to stand in their way!